COMP 268
The Contemporary African American and Latin American Novella Spring 2025
Division I W Writing Skills
Cross-listed ENGL 243

Class Details

This tutorial examines how the novella has been deployed in the African American and Latin American contexts in our present century. Throughout the term, we will grow a vocabulary to understand how, from the perspective of craft, an elongated brevity can often lend itself, perhaps counterintuitively, to such an immersive reading experience. We will also contemplate why so many of the texts appear focused on countering established historical narratives. What unique possibilities does the form of the novella offer in this regard? In these explorations, we will encounter novellas from, among others, César Aira, Yuri Herrera, Jocelyn Nicole Johnson, Gayl Jones, John Keene, Bruna Dantas Lobato, Toni Morrison, and Alejandro Zambra. These readings will be paired with brief critical texts that will frame the essays to be written each week.
The Class: Format: tutorial
Limit: 10
Expected: 10
Class#: 3621
Grading: no pass/fail option, no fifth course option
Requirements/Evaluation: five tutorial essays (4-5 pages); five responses to partners tutorial essays; thoughtful participation in tutorial meetings
Prerequisites: A 100-level ENGL course, or a score of 5 on the AP English Literature exam, or a score of 6 or 7 on the Higher Level IB English exam, or permission of the instructor.
Enrollment Preferences: Sophomores, but juniors and seniors are also welcome.
Distributions: Divison I Writing Skills
Notes: This course is cross-listed and the prefixes carry the following divisional credit:
COMP 268 Division I ENGL 243 Division I
WS Notes: Beyond the quantity of assigned writing, significant class time will be spent covering strategies for effective and persuasive academic writing. Throughout the semester, students will receive written feedback from the instructor with specific suggestions for revision and improvement.
Attributes: AMST Arts in Context Electives
ENGL Criticism Courses
ENGL Literary Histories C

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